'Stars need to align' for Hester

Ex-assistant Drake still sees future at WR for Bears vet

Bears wide receiver Devin Hester prepares before the season finale against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Dec. 30, 2012. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune Photo)

Darryl Drake is uncertain about Devin Hester's future in Chicago, but the former Bears receivers coach believes the 30-year-old Hester has some good years left in him — as a receiver.

Hester, who established his reputation with an NFL-record 17 return touchdowns, has experienced a steady decline at receiver. He caught a career-high 57 passes in 2009, dipped to 40 the next season, 26 in '11 and 23 this season.

"The stars need to align right (for him)," said Drake, who is headed to the Cardinals in the wake of coach Lovie Smith's firing. "That's just how he's made. If not, then he may struggle here and there.

"Guys like him feed off success. When he wasn't involved, then he was frustrated. It's hard to play this game frustrated."

Hester ended the season with an emotional rant during which he mentioned the possibility of retiring. If he remains in Chicago, he will have to build a better rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler.

"Jay is a tough, tough-minded guy. He looks at things a lot differently," Drake said. "Devin is more of a compassionate-type of guy. But could they co-exist? Sure, if they both work at it.''

Urlacher speaks:Brian Urlacher said Tuesday he has yet to hear from the Bears, but the 34-year-old linebacker is open to returning for a 14th season.

Urlacher is set to become a free agent soon.

Asked on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on WMVP-AM 1000 if he definitely would play somewhere in 2013, Urlacher said, "For sure, yes. Still feel like I can, a little bit."

And if it's not in Chicago?

"I'd like to play there but I can move on," he said. "It's not that big of a deal."

Urlacher said he would be willing to give the Bears a hometown "discount."

Hersey's Nelson signs: The Bears signed safety Tom Nelson, who played at Hersey in Arlington Heights, to a reserve/futures contract.

Nelson, whom the Eagles released in August after he suffered a high ankle sprain, gives the Bears additional depth.

Nelson was signed after a tryout. The Bears also had three other players in, according to an NFL source — linebacker Sergio Kindle, defensive back Brandon Hogan and offensive tackle Trevis Turner.

Undrafted out of Illinois State in 2009, Nelson spent two seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Eagles.

More staff hires: The Bears hired Brendan Nugent and Carson Walch as offensive quality control coaches.